L.O.Ds
A view or idea that is incorrect or incomplete and based on flawed thinking
Misconception
What is Misconception #1
Medieval Africa was illiterate
What are Griots and why are they important to African culture?
Griots are West African storytellers and historians who preserve their people’s history and cultural traditions through oral storytelling, passing them from generation to generation.
Poetic form that uses few words but achieves great depth of meaning.
Proverb
What is evidence to challenge Misconception#1?
Epics, Griots, Timbuktu manuscripts, and proverbs.
Who is Mansa Musa and why is he important?
Mansa Musa was a famous king of the Mali Empire and a devout Muslim who tolerated other religions. He expanded Mali’s power and made it a center of Islamic learning. Known as the richest man in history, he traveled on the Hajj to Mecca with 60,000 people and 80 camels carrying gold. He gave away so much gold in Cairo that it caused inflation, showing how wealthy and connected Mali was to the world.
A field of study and a method of gathering, preserving and interpreting the voices and memories of people, communities, and participants in past events.
Oral History
What is Misconception #2?
Medieval Africa was uncultured and primitive
What are the main resources traded in Mali, Ghana and Songhai? *BONUS IF YOU SORT THEM CORRECTLY INTO EACH KINGDOM!*
Salt, Gold, Iron, Agricultural Products
BONUS:
Mali - Salt and Gold
Ghana - Salt, Gold, Iron
Songhai - Salt, Gold, Agricultural products
Inheritance, property rights, succession traced through mother.
Matrilineal
What is evidence to challenge Misconception #2?
Manden Charter and Matrilineal Societies
A king of the Mali Empire who conquered Ghana and made Mali a powerful trading Empire.
Sundiata Keita
One of the oldest constitutions, guaranteeing certain human rights such as social peace, diversity, education, food security, freedom of expression and trade.
Mandan Charter
What is Misconception #3 and what evidence is there to challenge it?
Medieval Africa was isolated and insignificant
Mansa Musa
Why is it important to know that Africa is a continent, not a country?
Africa is often thought of as a country, one place with one type of people, and much smaller than it is. Africa has 54 countries with hundreds of languages spoken, filled with people of all kinds, with different experiences and cultural traditions.